All About Pocket Knives

We are taught to read the knife, not just the tang stamp. I saw this photo of the workers at the Northfield Knife Company. I've researched this company deeply, and this photo is awesome. So here’s my read. First, you can't miss a young Mr. Platt’s and his famous mustache standing in the back row. I searched for Mr. Gill, but he may have been too young at the time of the photo. His father is most likely in the picture, but I don't recognize him. You notice at least two, maybe three women. I assume office workers. In front are young lads who would have been runners, taking knives in the assembly process throughout the plant. I love the outfits they have on. This company hired both English and German workers. If you look at the large gentleman on the right with his pipe, he truly looks German to me. This reminds me of the old saying, German knives are beautiful but the steel was very poor, English knives had great steel but not near as fancy. OK, what do you read in this photo?

Homie on the far left with the bowler hat is like 8'12"

He was their power hammer, and was most likely chosen as breeding stock for all those child laborers in the front row.

Those kids could probably each individually beat me in arm wrestling, foot races, and toe to toe match ups.

Love the photo. Back when manufacturing companies were proud
of their workforce because they worked hard and produced a good
product.

Now everyone is a "team member" in the workforce. Don't let
the door hit your backside when you leave through the door
the last day.

Bob

Great photo!!

Makes me wonder...at that time and with that work force...how many pocket knife patterns did the company offer, and how many finished pocketknives did they crank out every day/week/month/year?

PA Knives wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 1:03 pm I searched for Mr. Gill, but he may have been too young at the time of the photo. His father is most likely in the picture, but I don't recognize him.

Looks like he is sitting on his father's lap, third row back far right.

First time I have seen one of the knife factory photos with a baby in the picture!

Great photo David

I'd guess they're segregated to a point by each's particular duties. Everyone is with his or her neighboring worker. Grinders, hafters, management, etc, whoever they were.

I notice some in the picture appear to be wearing aprons. Not unusual for those jobs.

I’m wondering, if that’s indeed Charles (C.W.) Platts, how old he was when the picture was taken. Not sure what year he was born but I’ve read that he was a master cutler and manufacturing superintendent at Joseph Rodgers in Sheffield, before coming to America in 1864, where he found employment at American Knife Company in Plymouth Hollow, CT.

According to Levine’s Guide he was Superintendent at Northfield 1872-1896, and sons H.N., Charlie, Ray, Joe, and Frank were apprentices. Maybe some of them are also in the picture. Charles died in 1900.

It can be confusing however because his son Charlie Platts was in cutlery at several companies for several decades afterward. Including most prominently at Remington Cutlery. I’ve also read that the Platts’, father C.W. and sons, were employed as masters at Cattaraugus, leaving there in 1896 to form C. Platts & Sons. Also H.N. Platts married Debbie Case (daughter of W.R. Case and sister of Russ Case) in 1892 while both supposedly were employed at Cattaraugus. So some of the dates don’t align across various sources.

Ken

ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 1:21 pm Homie on the far left with the bowler hat is like 8'12"

He was their power hammer, and was most likely chosen as breeding stock for all those child laborers in the front row.

Those kids could probably each individually beat me in arm wrestling, foot races, and toe to toe match ups.

Kids used to be tougher. And I agree about the guy on the far left, he was the hammer, along with a couple guys standing in the back.

I see John Kerry in the middle of the front row!

The photos I've seen of the Northfield factory show a large three story building. Any idea what this building is? Part of the same complex? Administrative offices?

Dennis

Ken,

Thank you for the great history lesson on Platts. That family certainly influenced our love of old pocketknives. I find it very interesting that Mr Platts returned to his beloved Northfield to be buried. I personally visited his gravesite and placed an original Platts knife on his tombstone. I knew someone would take it, but I figured if someone else was visiting his grave, they must be influenced by Platts as much as me, and the knife may continue that admiration. Maybe there should be a contest to see who has a beard that closely resembles the famous Platts configuration. That would be fun.

Great photo! The ladies might also have been on the QC/wipe down/boxing line as well. I've seen a few phots where those departments were filled almost exclusively with women. Much better at the finer points I'm sure. Can you imagine Paul Bunyan there wrapping knives? Dang he must surely have been one of the forgers.

Eric

ea42 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:53 pm Great photo! The ladies might also have been on the QC/wipe down/boxing line as well. I've seen a few phots where those departments were filled almost exclusively with women. Much better at the finer points I'm sure. Can you imagine Paul Bunyan there wrapping knives? Dang he must surely have been one of the forgers.

Eric

There is an old photo on here somewhere of the old Russell Factory and it is stated on there that the women worked in the etching dept. As you say much better in the finer points.